The combine mode is fine, don't be afraid... Just paid attention to the flaps that keep the thighs in place. The combine mode poses well enough (you have to untab some parts if you want more range of motion) most of the fixes comes with Overturn, the only "issue" left without a fix are those flaps on the thighs on Powertrain...

Since most people here have covered the issues with this set I will cover the pros:

Subjective

- One of the most beautiful combiners to date... I was not a Menasor fan BEFORE Havoc...
- Good size and also has heroic proportions (like HE-MAN )
- Beautiful representations of the IDW Stunticons

Objective

- Amazing engineering, all pieces have a place to go or have a porpouse... As an engineer, I think this set is a masterpiece...
- NO LEFTOVER PIECES in any of the 3 modes
- Sturdy design for the most part, and it doesn't rely on plastic thickness to achieve that.
- The combine mode doesn't use faux parts.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree. The "issues" are seriously overblown, especially coming from someone who been awfully critical of the set.

Articulation is fine, and the actual combination of the figures is awfully solid. Dragstrips elbow is weird, but there's a fix for that . The hips securing flaps do come loose easier than I'd like, but simply paying attention to them and keeping them secure will help tons.

I'm waiting on GCI. They apparently said they were getting it in stock last week. I haven't heard back but I suspect the delay could be due to conditions in Texas, given where they're based out of. So I'm not in a rush there.

Just got Overturn...not the best build wise or rather transformation wise. It's smooth but the hood/front windshield is really tough to transform.

There's some wiggle on the knees but not as bad as Peaugh's review. There are some rudimentary locking tabs for it.

Overall second nicest looking one next to Dragstrip or Powertrain but only above Carnage in terms of solidity. The shoulders are also kind of a PIT as the flaps to bring the shoulders down dont tab into place so you have to hold them down to articulate the arms laterally.

I received dead end on Saturday (thanks Chosen Prime for a speedy delivery!). None of the weird wobbly knee issue from the early reviews. Everything tabs in beautifully. The plastic is similar to that of the first two releases (Breakdown and Wildrider), though it has a much better finish. By finish I mean it is nice and glossy, with really sharp paint. I kind of wish TFM would redo the first two with the same glossy finish actually. Overall, he really is a nice bot.

I'd have to say, in terms of ranking each of the figures it would be "
1. Motormaster
2. Dragstrip
3. Deadend
4. Breakdown (largely because of the superb headsculpt)
5. Wildrider

I haven't installed the combiner leg pieces yet to stop the forward lean, largely because I haven't decided on whether I want to lose the painted detail.

The clip for Dragstrip in arm mode works as intended. It is still a PIA to bend the elbows, but at least it doesn't come undone. I would have preferred Deadend to have some sort of dual locking system in arm mode as well, as it stands, the elbow joint only pegs in on one side, however it feels like more of a sold connection than Dragstrip's.

I think I may try combined mode without moving Motormaster's thighs to the wider position just to see how that transfers the center of balance as well the get an idea of the height increase. I know it may look a little silly if the thighs can be seen below the hipskirt, but I'd like to give it a shot. He'd be up to the top of CW Devastator's top chest with the added height.

I'd say, overall, I'm pretty happy with this version of Menasor think he fits in well as my "MP" version of the character, albeit with modern altmodes.

How do you handle the windshield and hood part I found that extremely taxing. Like getting it unpegged without turning the roof inwards to undo the tabs on the windshield.

Click to expand...

Unpeg the arms, and legs just a little so you have access to the car roof/side windows part and unpeg that to free up the windshield tabs. I had trouble with that as well and just started unpegging other things to loosen it up.